Washing machine and gyratator



H. F. SNYDER 1,63,546

2 Sheets-Sheet l ZZZ/67250 7" @MJH June 14, 1932.

WASHING MACHINE AND GYRATATOR Filed Sept. 24. 1924 June 14, 1932. SNYDER 1,863,546

WASHING MACHINE AND GYRATATDR Filed Sept. 24, 1924 ZSheeis-Sheet 2 i l-ll M. HI. .ll

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Patented June 14, 1932 PATENT OFFICE HOWARD Fr SNYDER, OF NEWTON, IOWA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TOTHE MAYTAG COMPANY, OF NEWTON, IOWA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE WASHING MACHINE AND GYRATATOR Application filed September 24, 1924. Serial No. 737,241.

The present invention relates machines and gyratators.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide an improved washing machine, preferably with a novel gyratator or agitator feature, which may move relative to the container or tub when either is held stationary, or form part of the container or tub when the latter is moved relative to the contents thereof, the normalinertia of the latter reacting with the moving tub and attached ratating feature to effect the desired washing operation; to provide for gyratorially and turbulently whirling the contents of the tube or container of the machine from one side of the tub to the other side thereof, rather than from the sides of the tub to the central portion thereof; to provide for a novel impelling means in the form of preferably only one impelling projection or blade, and preferably of substantial width or axial dimension for effecting substantial action upon the contents of the tub, and preferably located or arranged at one side of, or eccentrically or-asymmetrically of the central portion, or axis of rotation of the tub or the gyratator, whereby the movement of the contents of the tub, may be positively effected with up and down movements together with movements from one side of the tub to the other side thereof, or from one side of the gymtator or tub to the other side thereof, or, more specifically, the movement of the contents will be across the tub space or the gymtator and toward one side of the tub, then away from the impelling means on the gymto washing tator, then over to the opposite side of the tub, then toward the impelling means on the gyratator, and again across the tub to repeat the cycle while at the same time, or during each cycle, the contents will cross from one side of the tub to the other and move toward and from the impelling means or the gymtator in different paths so that there is a general progression or gyratory movementof the contents around the tub very much in the nature of gyroscopic movements, as well as a thorough washing and cleansing action and turbulent tossing and dashing about 0 with a sieving action on the clothes and the Y the pieces gyratator to roll into a'ball or the like, is

avoided. One of the objects, therefore, of

the invention is to provide an impelling means or a gyratator that will thoroughly circulate the material being washed, this result being obtained by the invention by unbalancing the action of or the gyratator, or making it act asymmetrically or eccentrically so that the forces act- "ing upon the contents of the tub will be unequal from the center of the tub or gyratator.

It is further among the objects of the invention to provide for making the tub and impelling means such that the tubmay move or alternately rotate relative to the impelling means, but preferably to form the impelling means, such as a single blade, with the tub and alternately rotating the tub and blade together as a unit, so as to act upon the contents of the tub to effect the washing'operation, the normal inertia of the contents reacting against the action of the tub and impelling means to set up the turbulent movements and the like above described.

It is still further among the objects of the invention to provide for supporting a gymtator in invertible position, such as in an upright position at the bottom of the tub and in an inverted position in an elevated part of, the

. tub to provide for an extension in the operatlng means for sup-porting the inverted gyratator at the desired or given elevation in the tub or contents thereof; to provide for selectively supporting theinverted gyratator at any given height or elevation; to provide for floating, or partially floating the inverted gyratator in the tub, the cooperating operating means and gyratator being preferably relatively movable or slidable whereby the the impelling means floating of the inverted gyratator, may automatically be at or near the particular level of the contents of the tub; to provide for a detachable extension between the parts of the driving means extending into the tub and the inverted gyratator; and to provide for such othcrobjects, capabilities and advantages as may later more fully be disclosed and are inherently possessed by the invention.

Referring to the drawings showing the invention, Fig. 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a part of a washing machine constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the gyratator in use in inverted position; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the gyratator; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the gyratator, showing the impelling elements in elevation, the section being taken on a plane represented by line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a unitary tub and gymtator capable of alternate rotations as a unit; and, Fig. 6 is a sectional view inplan, of the same.

By the term gyratator used in this specification is meant an alternating rotary member operable to eifect movements of fluids and materials away from and toward, as well as transversely, of the member, so that the fluids and material will have various circulatory and gyratory movements with a general circulation or gyratory progression thereof, very much in the nature of gyroscopic action.

Referring more particularly to the drawings showing embodiments selected to illustrate the invention, Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show an embodiment comprising a tub 1 of preferably greater lateral dimension than the vertical height thereof and having a bottom portion 2 connected to side portions 3' by preferably inclined or oblique portions 4 as clearly shown in the drawings. The .tub may have a top 5 provided with an opening 6 and a closure 7 connected to the top 5 by hinges or pivots 8 and also provided witha hand grip 9 at the free end of the closure 7, the edges of the clo sure being so shaped and arranged to form a seal with the top portion 5.

To the bottom of the tub may be secured a drain plate 10 carrying a suitable packing means and bearing 11 preferably rigid with the plate 10, the means .11 having a packing and lubricant conducting portion 12 to the inlet end 13 of which may be connected a suitable means for acting upon the packing in the means 11 and for applying a lubricant. In the means 11 is rotatably mounted a shaft 14 to which is fastened a pinion 15 which may be operated by suitable driving mechanism such as that disclosed in my co-pendting application for washing machines, filed June 14. 1922-, under Serial No. 568,158.

In the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, the tub and the gyratator 01' impelling means are formed rigidly or integrally together so that they will move or alternately rotate in unison or as a single unit. The parts are similar to those shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive and comprise a tub 4.0 of preterably greater lateral dimension than the vertical height thereof and having a bottom portion 41 forming an annular trough with a rislng central portion 42 formed approximately in the shape of a dome or conoid tlaring downwardly into the trough portion 41. From the latter the bottom extends preferably upwardly to form an inclined or oblique portion 43 preferably formed integral with the vertical walls of the tub 40, as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. This tub may also have a top 44 provided with an opening 45 and a closure 46 connected to the top 44 by hinges or pivots 47 and also a hand grip 48 at the free end of the closure, the edges of the closure being so shaped and arranged to form a substantial seal with the top.

Extending laterally or radially from .the dome portion 42 and across the trough portion 41 is preferably integrally formed a single-impelling blade or projection 49 extending somewhat above the top of the dome and to one side thereof and terminating radially and preferably integrally with a vertical wall of the tub as clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. It will be observed here too, that there is but one impeller to this gyratator feature and it is located to one side of the center of the gyratator portion of the tub.

,The dome portion 42 is preferably hollow so as to provide a space therein into which projects an integral socket portion 50, preferably being expanded to or contracted from a 50 so as to normally hold the member 51 in place. The latter may be provided with a plurality of transverse perforations or apertures 55 located opposite notches 56 formed in the socket portion 50 so that a cross pin may be readily inserted through the notches and any one of the apertures as well as through a registering cross aperture in the shaft 14 upon which thecombined gyratator and tub may be supported and by which it may be alternately rotated, this shaft also comprising a pinion 15 capable of meshing with suitable operating mechanism to effect the alternating rotary action of the device. In this form of the device, the upper part of the dome is closed rather than apertured as in the form shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings.

In the form ofdevice shown inFig. l. a gyratator 16 is shown as mounted upon the upper end of the shaft 14wl1ich extends into the tab so that the gyratator will act upon roove 54 formed within the socket portion the contents of the tub above the same. In Fig. 2 thegyratator or impelling device is shown in inverted position and also elevated Wh in the tube so as to act upon the contents of the tub from above. In this construction the shaft is connected to.a socket member 17 fitting over the upper end of the shaft and connected to it by means of a pin 18 suitably driven through suitable apertures provided in the socket 17 and the upper end portion of the shaft 14, the outer ends of the pin being smooth so as not to injure the materials being acted upon in the tube. The socket carries an extension 19 preferably non-circular in crosssection' and specifically shown in Fig. 2 as square in cross-section, but it beingunderstood that any cross-sectional form of the same may be used, as desired, so that it may operate to give the inverted gyratator an alternating, r0- tary motion. The gyratator is slidably connected to the extension 19 and may, if desired, be held in given elevated positions by a cross pin 20 inserted through suitable apertures provided in the extension 19 and a part of the gyratator as will later appear. It will be noted that the extension l9 may have a plurality of apertures 21 so that the inverted gyratator may be secured to the extension 19 at any desired height or elevation.

The gyratator is preferably made of metal, which may be 'cast or otherwise, and -formed approximately in the shape of a circular plate having a central conoidal or domeshaped central portion 22 flaring downwardly into an annular trough shaped portion 23 and curving upwardly toward the edge or -in the socket the member beaded portion 23. Extending laterally or radially from the dome portion 22 and across the trough portion is preferably integrally formed an impelling blade or projection 24 extending somewhat above the top of the dome and to one side thereof and terminating radially substantially in vertical line with the outer edge or bead -23 of the gyratator. It will be observed that there is but one impeller to this gyratator and it is located to'one side of the center of the gyratator. The dome portion 22 of the yratator is hollow so as to provide a space t erein into which projects an integral socket portion 25, preferably of square or rectangular cross-section within the same to receive a socket sleeve 26 having a flange 27 with which engages a spring ring or the like 28 capable of being expanded into or contracted from a groove 29. formed withportion 25 so as to normally hold 26 'in'place. The member 2.6 is provided with a plurality of perforations orv apertures 30 located opposite notches 31 ormed in the extension 25 so that a cross pinmay be readily inserted through notches 31 and apertures 30 in any one of the apertures' 21 of the extension 19.- The upper central portion of the dome is preferably provided with an aperture 32 to permit the passage therethrough of the extension 19 when the gyratator is located in inverted position.

en the gyratator is in upright position as shown in F ig'. 1 of the drawings, the aperture 32 may be filled or omitted as desired. When the gyratator is used in this upright position, the shaft 14 preferably carries the socket member 26 to which there may be secured by a pin passing through the aperture 30 and through a suitable aperture in the shaft, such as the aperture through which the pin 18 passes. In this way motion may be impartedto the gyratator when in this position, or when it is in the inverted position, motion is imparted to the extension 19 and hence to the gyratator.

. By shaping or forming the gyratator with a concaved portion or trough 23, the gyratator may, when in inverted position, so act upon the contents of the tub as to trap a pocket of air in the trough portion 23 so that the gyratator will be held in floating or partly floating position and in this event. the gyratator may be merely connected to the extension 19 in slidable relation, without the use of the pin 20. In this case the gyratator will be self-adjusted in height in accordance with the level of the contents of the tub.

the gyratator to one side of the tub, and then 100.

the contents of the tub will be caused, asa whole, to move upwardly in the tub near the side toward which it was first moved and then across the upper part of the tub, in the case 'where the gyratator is used in upright 105 position as shown in Fig. 1, and then downwardly along the other side of the tub toward the other side of the gyratator or the impelling side thereof. This will complete one cycle of the operation. vice shown in Fig. 2, the actionof the impeller isto drive the contents in a similar manner, but in reverse direction since the gyratator is in inverted position. In this way the contents of the tub, materials to be cleansed, if of large extent, will not have a tendency to spread or extend equally in opposite directions with equal forces and remain stretched or taut without' any having the impeller in eccentric relation so that the forces acting across the, surface of the gyratator will be unequal, the circulation of the materials in the tub will be effected and the washing thereof will be car- 125 there is a general travel around the tub of no In the form of deno particularly the travel of the same about the tub. By

thoroughly.

the contents besides the included circulating or cycle movements of the contents.

In the form of device shown in Figs. 5 and 6, it will be noted that the bottom portion of the tub is in the nature of a gyratator or impelling device. The impelling blade is so located to one side of the center of the gyratator portion of this tub that its action upon the contents of the tub, when the tub and the gyratator portion are alternately oscillated orrot ated together as a unit,willcause the movement of the contents transversely of the gyratator portion and away from and toward the same in a more or less circulatory or gyratating movement. This movement is effected usually across the gyratator to one side of the tub, that is the side opposite from that of the blade, and then upwardly, and then across the upper part of the tub to the opposite side thereof and then downwardly toward the gyratator portion in the region where the blade is acting, thus producing a circulatory or gyratory movement and at the same time these movements will effect a general movement of the contents with a progression about the tub very much in the nature of a gyroscopie action. As in the form previously described, in'Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the contents of the tub, particularly the materials to be cleansed, to a large extent, will not have a tendency to spread or extend equally in opposite directions with equal forces and remain stretched or taut without any travel of the same about the tub. By having the impeller in eccentric relation so that the forces acting across the tub or the surface of the gyratator portion thereof, will be unequal and the circulation of the materials in the tub will be effected and the washing thereof will be carried out At the same time as the contents of the tub are caused to circulate therein, there is a general progressional movement of the circulatory paths so that there is a general travel around the tub of the contents besides the included circulating or cycle movements of the contents.

It will be noted that although the structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is designed to be operated by suitable mechanism on the machine for giving the tub an alternating rotary motion, attention is directed to the fact that the tub may be detached from the operating mechanismand may be held in the hands and given an alternating rotary motion by hand so as to cause the impelling blade 49 to act upon the contents of the tub for effecting Washing operation in the same manner as indicated above. In such event, the tub may or may not he provided with suitable handles as desired, and in thecase of Where the tub is intended to be operated by hand only, the tub may be formed without the connecting part 50 and other elements ineluded for the connection to a shaft, as the shaft 14.

While I have herein disclosed and upon the drawings shown selected embodiments to illustrate the invention, it is to be understood that other constructions, details and arrange ments of parts from that shown are comprehended by the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a washing machine having operating mechanism, a tub adapted to be lternately rotated by said mechanism, said tub having a bottom portion provided with a raised central part and a trough portion adjacent the central part, the outer part of the trough portion being integral with the side wall of the tub, and an impelling member extending across the trough portion.

2. In a washing machine having operating mechanism, a tubadapted to be alternately rotated by said mechanism, said tub having a tapering bottom and a reflexed central portion of the bottom to form a trough portion between the reflexed and tapering portions and an impelling blade extending transver'sely of the trough portion and connected at its ends to the reflcxed portion and to a side of the tub.

3. In a washing machine, a vertical cylindrical tub mounted for rotary oscillation and provided with a concave bottom and a single tin extending from said concave bottom to the side wall of the tub.

4. In a Washing machine, a trough-like member having a central portion which merges by a continuous curve into an axially disposed dome of approximately conoidal form, and a single fiat blade extending radially across said trough and having its lower edge engaging the bottom of said trough and a contiguous portion of the surface of said dome.

5. In a washing machine, a trough-like member having its central portion merging by a continuous curve into an axially disposed dome of approximately conoidal form having a rounded top, and a single fiat blade extending radially across said trough and having its lower edge engaging the bottom of said trough, the surface of said dome and the curved merging portion of the trough and the dome.

6. In a washing machine, a circular troughlike member having an upturned peripheral edge and a central portion which merges by a continuous curve into an axially disposed dome of approximately conoidal form, and

. a single flat blade extending radially across said trough and having its lower edge engaging the bottomof said trough and a portion of the periphery of said dome, the outer end of said blade engaging said upturned edge.

7 A Washing machine comprising'a tub having a trough-like bottom portion, the central'portion of which merges by a continuous curve into an axially disposed dome of ap-.

proximately conoidal form, the outer ortion of said bottom being integral with t e side walls of the tub, and a fiat blade extending radially across said trough and having its lower edge engaging the bottom of the trough and a portion of the periphery of said dome.

8. A washing machine comprising a tub having inwardly tapered bottom walls merging into a central trough-like portion, the central portion of which merges by a continuous curve into an axially disposed dome of conoidal form, and a fiat blade extending radially across said trough and having its lower edge engaging said tapered bottom, the trough-like portion and a portion of the said dome.

9 A washing machine comprising a tub having vertical side Walls integrally connected with an inwardly tapered bottom portion which merges into a circular trough-like portion, the central portion of which merges by a continuous curve into an axially disposed dome of approximately conoidal form, and a fiat blade extending radially across said trough and having its ends engaging the contiguous side wall of the tub and a portion of the surface of said dome.

10. A washing machine tub having its bot tom formed with a central upstanding dome and liquid impelling means extending outwardly therefrom, the under side of said dome forming a socket for a power drive shaft.

11. In a washing machine, a tub having its bottom wall provided with a centrally disposed raised portion and also provided with an upstanding projection extending radially outward from said raised portion to the wall of the tub, and'a shaft having one end engaged with the tub beneath said centrally disposed raised portion so as to rotatably support said tub.

12. In a washing machine, a tub having a centrally disposed upwardly projecting dome formed integrally therewith, and provided with an internal shaft-receiving socket 'of angular cross section. v

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification.

HOWARD F. SNYDER. 

